Sir Richard Hadlee vs Malcolm Marshall vs Glenn Mcgrath. Who was the better bowler?

[Heisenberg111]

Sir Richard Hadlee played for a relatively weaker New Zealand side and helped New Zealand to win their first ever series in Australia in 1985/86 and England in 1986. When he was playing New Zealand went unbeaten at home throughout the 1980's. What he helped New Zealand achieve is truly legendary. Had a great record in Asia as well. A complete fast bowler.

Glenn Mcgrath helped Australia to win test series in every country. Has a great record everywhere. A true Champion who played in a champion team.

Malcom Marshall was instrumental in inflicting a double blackwash on England (England lost 0-10 home and away to WI). Also played a crucial role in beating India in India 3-0 in 1983/84. Had a great record everywhere. A true fast bowling great who again played in a champion team.

Overall these are the 3 greatest fast bowlers to ever play the game. I know some people will say Ambrose, Wasim etc. but Ambrose didn't play a test match in India for some reason and was ordinary in Pakistan in the 1997 series. Wasim had all the skills but was an underachiever at the Test level.

In the end, my vote is for the great Hadlee, what he achieved for a relatively weaker side was truly a stuff of the legends.

So who do you think is the better bowler of the three ?

 

[Hitman]

Glenn McGrath, the ultimate champion who ticks every criteria in both forms of the game. Marshall has a slightly better Test bowling average but McGrath has far more longevity. No bowler completely bullied every good/great batsman of his era like McGarth did.

 

[Heisenberg111]

Glenn McGrath, the ultimate champion who ticks every criteria in both forms of the game. Marshall has a slightly better Test bowling average but McGrath has far more longevity. No bowler completely bullied every good/great batsman of his era like McGarth did.

Just checked these three bowler's record in Asia. Mcgrath's bowling averages country wise. His averages are are on higher side in Pakistan (31.0) and in Sri Lanka (29.20). Marshall has an average of 21.46 in Pakistan and 24.61 in India, he didn't play a match in Sri Lanka. Hadlee's average in India is 22.23, in Ri Lanka he averages 12.30 but his average in Pakistan is on the higher side 44.70, but he only played one series in Pakistan early in his career in 1976.

 

[Heisenberg111]

Just checked these three bowler's record in Asia. Mcgrath's bowling averages country wise. His averages are are on higher side in Pakistan (31.0) and in Sri Lanka (29.20). Marshall has an average of 21.46 in Pakistan and 24.61 in India, he didn't play a match in Sri Lanka. Hadlee's average in India is 22.23, in Ri Lanka he averages 12.30 but his average in Pakistan is on the higher side 44.70, but he only played one series in Pakistan early in his career in 1976.

So it seems Marshall has the best record in Asia, but he didn't play a match in Sri Lanka.

 

[Hitman]

Just checked these three bowler's record in Asia. Mcgrath's bowling averages country wise. His averages are are on higher side in Pakistan (31.0) and in Sri Lanka (29.20). Marshall has an average of 21.46 in Pakistan and 24.61 in India, he didn't play a match in Sri Lanka. Hadlee's average in India is 22.23, in Ri Lanka he averages 12.30 but his average in Pakistan is on the higher side 44.70, but he only played one series in Pakistan early in his career in 1976.

McGrath was awesome in India, a very difficult place for pacers. At the end of the day it'll all about personal preferences. In my opinion there's very little difference between those 3, but I would personally chose McGrath. I can understand a lot of posters will pick Marshall though, it definitely makes sense.

 

[watson367]

I watched McGrath in his prime so for me he is the ATG bowler.

 

[Hitman]

I don't how how big of a compliment it is, but Sehwag who was known for destroying bowlers in his comfort zone once said "McGrath sirf ek aisa bowler hain jise main jab chahu nahin maar sakta".

 

[Heisenberg111]

McGrath was awesome in India, a very difficult place for pacers. At the end of the day it'll all about personal preferences. In my opinion there's very little difference between those 3, but I would personally chose McGrath. I can understand a lot of posters will pick Marshall though, it definitely makes sense.

Yeah, Mcgrath has 33 wickets @21.30 in India, a tremendous record to have for a foreign pacer in India. Overall, you are right, very little to choose between the 3.

 

[Hitman]

Yeah, Mcgrath has 33 wickets @21.30 in India, a tremendous record to have for a foreign pacer in India. Overall, you are right, very little to choose between the 3.

I have so much admiration for Hadlee as a bowler. A true ATG, a tremendous bowler. Add to that he bowled with very little support form other bowlers. That makes his achievements very special compared to Marshall and McGarth who both played for 2 of the greatest teams of all time. It's my bloody regret that I missed his era.

 

[Rana]

Can only comment on McGrath. Great bowler!

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Can only comment on McGrath. Great bowler!

Can comment on all of them and can confirm all of them were great!

 

[Heisenberg111]

I have so much admiration for Hadlee as a bowler. A true ATG, a tremendous bowler. Add to that he bowled with very little support form other bowlers. That makes his achievements very special compared to Marshall and McGarth who both played for 2 of the greatest teams of all time. It's my bloody regret that I missed his era.

Yes, I rate Sir Richard Hadlee better than Imran, Wasim and Waqar, because he won NZ a series in Australia, a truly monumental achievement for NZ, which Imran Wasim and Waqar never managed.

 

[Hitman]

Yes, I rate Sir Richard Hadlee better than Imran, Wasim and Waqar, because he won NZ a series in Australia, a truly monumental achievement for NZ, which Imran Wasim and Waqar never managed.

I'd say that Imran and Wasim were definitely on par with Hadlee if not better. Wasim particularly was a bloody gem who was amazing. Imran was such a great, great, great bowler. And I'd rate Wasim slightly above Imran. That speaks volumes on how highly I rate Wasim.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Yes, I rate Sir Richard Hadlee better than Imran, Wasim and Waqar, because he won NZ a series in Australia, a truly monumental achievement for NZ, which Imran Wasim and Waqar never managed.

Hadlee was unquestionably a better bowler than Imran, although Imran himself was pretty lethal. Imran was a bit faster, but Hadlee had more variety. Imran was a better allrounder as his batting was better and he was also an exemplary leader.

 

[MMHS]

I’ll go in this order:

Marshall
Hadlee
McGrath

Marshall was a fast bowler, it means fast - guy was physically threatening even on 4th spell of the day.

Between Mac & Hadlee, Sir RJH was more skilled, probably quicker as well at his fastest, and definitely more cunning but Mac was good 4-5” taller.

It’s almost a tie, but I’ll take Hadlee for that he was the one man army, carried the attack from one end. McGrath playing for other team rather than that frightening Aussie team, won’t have been the same bowler.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Allan Donald 'The White Lightning' was better than all of them.

Accuracy of McGrath, Skill of Waqar Younis, Pace of Malcolm, Ferociousness of Lillee, Physique of Tarzon all combined into one.

 

[Ab Fan]

Among the ones I watched,

Donald
McGrath
Wasim
Steyn
Shami

That's top 5 for me.

 

[Heisenberg111]

Hadlee was unquestionably a better bowler than Imran, although Imran himself was pretty lethal. Imran was a bit faster, but Hadlee had more variety. Imran was a better allrounder as his batting was better and he was also an exemplary leader.

Yes, Hadlee certainly a better bowler than Imran, but Imran was the better allrounder ofcourse.

 

[Hitman]

Allan Donald 'The White Lightning' was better than all of them.

Accuracy of McGrath, Skill of Waqar Younis, Pace of Malcolm, Ferociousness of Lillee, Physique of Tarzon all combined into one.

My favorite fast bowler ever. I emulated his bowling action as a kid. Still remember his battles with Sachin. An SR of 47, add to that an average of 22 odd. Magnificent.

 

[Hitman]

Yes, Hadlee certainly a better bowler than Imran, but Imran was the better allrounder ofcourse.

Hadlee might be a slightly better bowler, but the difference isn't huge.

 

[Heisenberg111]

I’ll go in this order:

Marshall
Hadlee
McGrath

Marshall was a fast bowler, it means fast - guy was physically threatening even on 4th spell of the day.

Between Mac & Hadlee, Sir RJH was more skilled, probably quicker as well at his fastest, and definitely more cunning but Mac was good 4-5” taller.

It’s almost a tie, but I’ll take Hadlee for that he was the one man army, carried the attack from one end. McGrath playing for other team rather than that frightening Aussie team, won’t have been the same bowler.

I agree with this Mcgrath, although a champion bowler played in a champion team. What Hadlee single handedly achieved for NZ is truly incredible.

 

[Heisenberg111]

My favorite fast bowler ever. I emulated his bowling action as a kid. Still remember his battles with Sachin. An SR of 47, add to that an average of 22 odd. Magnificent.

How high, you rate Donald ?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

How high, you rate Donald ?

Donald probably deserves to be on this list to be fair. All of these are great fast bowlers, although I think I probably agree with MMHS that Marshall was probably the most lethal of all. All the more remarkable since for a fast bowler he wasn't a tall guy. But he got a lot of movement at high pace which made him really tricky.

 

[Heisenberg111]

Donald probably deserves to be on this list to be fair. All of these are great fast bowlers, although I think I probably agree with MMHS that Marshall was probably the most lethal of all. All the more remarkable since for a fast bowler he wasn't a tall guy. But he got a lot of movement at high pace which made him really tricky.

Had an average on the higher side in Pakistan (32.29) and Australia (28.45) although he did help his team win a series in India (averages 16.12 in India). But his main failure was that he couldn't help his team win a test series against Australia (home or away). And its not like he didn't have support. Shaun Pollock was there to support him.

 

[Ab Fan]

Donald and Pollock were two ATG bowlers. While Donald was consistent throughout his career, Pollock was phenomenal in 1990s and till about 2002. The late 90s South African team certainly underachieved.

They had best chance to beat Australia but by early 2000s, Donald left and Pollock became more of a second fiddle bowler to Ntini and SA continued to struggle against Aussies, failing to win anything till Smith's SA won in 2008.

I think Pollock and Waqar have similar career trajectory in test cricket. Phenomenal in first half but a Morne Morkel level test bowler in second half.

 

[Ab Fan]

At the same time, it must be said that SA between 2008-18 have mostly dominated Australia except one or two rare occasions

 

[szrana007]

Donald and Pollock were two ATG bowlers. While Donald was consistent throughout his career, Pollock was phenomenal in 1990s and till about 2002. The late 90s South African team certainly underachieved.

They had best chance to beat Australia but by early 2000s, Donald left and Pollock became more of a second fiddle bowler to Ntini and SA continued to struggle against Aussies, failing to win anything till Smith's SA won in 2008.

I think Pollock and Waqar have similar career trajectory in test cricket. Phenomenal in first half but a Morne Morkel level test bowler in second half.

Donald always choked against Australia when it mattered, whether in tests or in 1999 semi final.

 

[therealAB]

Allan Donald 'The White Lightning' was better than all of them.

Accuracy of McGrath, Skill of Waqar Younis, Pace of Malcolm, Ferociousness of Lillee, Physique of Tarzon all combined into one.

A great bowler, but saying he had the accuracy of McGrath is a lie

 

[therealAB]

At the same time, it must be said that SA between 2008-18 have mostly dominated Australia except one or two rare occasions

That is completely untrue. The 4 series 2008/9(SA), 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14 were all fantastic, hardfought test series. 4/7 of the series SA hasn't dominated Aus, that is not rare

 

[therealAB]

Among the ones I watched,

Donald
McGrath
Wasim
Steyn
Shami

That's top 5 for me.

Shami > Anderson, Pollock, Younis a very courageous (incorrect) call
Assuming you saw the latter two given your other players

 

[therealAB]

In response to the OP, MM is the number 1 test bowler
After that, for me McGrath is the next best, very very slightly ahead of Sir Richard
The three top test bowlers of all time

 

[tyron_woodley]

Shami > Anderson, Pollock, Younis a very courageous (incorrect) call
Assuming you saw the latter two given your other players

Easily better than all 3. Easily. Plays in a much harder era for bowlers. Anderson is just a swing fodder like Philander. He is very good in those Condtions. That's it.

 

[Ab Fan]

Donald always choked against Australia when it mattered, whether in tests or in 1999 semi final.

Only against Australia though. He did his job though by taking 4 wickets and Pollock took 5 wickets.

 

[Ab Fan]

That is completely untrue. The 4 series 2008/9(SA), 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14 were all fantastic, hardfought test series. 4/7 of the series SA hasn't dominated Aus, that is not rare

But they have clearly won more than Aus when played against each other during that 10 years period.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Donald always choked against Australia when it mattered, whether in tests or in 1999 semi final.

Donald was the most racist cricketer I have ever come across in those times. Back then Indians never smack talked and never involved themselves in sledging. They were very reserved.
He always got spanked by Aussies.

He was indeed a great bowler but he never performed in crunch games in odi. In tests he was a force outside Australia.
He destroyed India in India in the 90s.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

Mcgrath is the GOAT cricketer.

 

[therealAB]

Easily better than all 3. Easily. Plays in a much harder era for bowlers. Anderson is just a swing fodder like Philander. He is very good in those Condtions. That's it.

If those conditions are so easy why is he useless in the UK?

 

[therealAB]

But they have clearly won more than Aus when played against each other during that 10 years period.

Maybe, but to say they have dominated is incorrect. It was hardfought cricket, with an 11-8 record. For the first 5 series, the record was tied. Could not be further from domination

 

[tyron_woodley]

If those conditions are so easy why is he useless in the UK?

Because he is a hit the deck bowler.
Andy is a swing king. Each have their strengths.

 

[Junaids]

Marshall is by far the greatest bowler in history.

 

[Hitman]

Marshall is by far the greatest bowler in history.

No, Deniss Lillee is.

 

[therealAB]

No, Deniss Lillee is.

Marshall a much more rounded bowler in all conditions

 

[jeetu]

Marshall was greatest test fast bowler of all time. McGrath was the best ever in combined format.
Marshall , McGrath , Ambrose , Steyn and Hadlee are the Top 5 test fast bowlers to play the game.

 

[therealAB]

Marshall was greatest test fast bowler of all time. McGrath was the best ever in combined format.
Marshall , McGrath , Ambrose , Steyn and Hadlee are the Top 5 test fast bowlers to play the game.

Yesss. Perfect post

 

[tyron_woodley]

Wasim should be top 5. He was a great odi bowler and test bowler.

 

[Robert]

Marshall is by far the greatest bowler in history.

I agree that he is #1.

Marshall and Hadlee opened the bowling for MCC in the Bicentennary match 1987. The Bajan made the Kiwi look second rate that day.

I would put McG at #2 in the OP list because he was so confident, while Hadlee’s head occasionally dropped when he was getting hit.

 

[Robert]

Yesss. Perfect post

I would put Donald ahead of Hadlee.

Then there are the greats of the past such as Lindwall and Trueman.

 

[Robert]

Marshall a much more rounded bowler in all conditions

Having watched them both I am uncertain.

Australia never toured India in DK’s career so we don’t know how he would have gone there. He turned up to Pakistan half-fit - shouldn’t have been on the plane but Thommo and Hogg were crocked worse - and bowled very long spells of medium pace on the dust bowls there. He played one test in SL right at the end of his career.

DK taught Maco and Imran the fast leg-cutter.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Donald always choked against Australia when it mattered, whether in tests or in 1999 semi final.

Wait, What?

Donald choked against Australia in WC semi final? Donald had Australia on the floor pretty much.

 

[tyron_woodley]

I don't understand why McGrath was so hard to face. Is it cause of the sledging. When I used to watch him bowl he looked so harmless. He had decent bounce but he lacked pure speed. Maybe 130-135 max. He moved the ball yes but somehow players get outfoxed by him. Why? What was so hard about him.

 

[Hasan123]

Glen McGrath

 

[Manunited18]

I don't understand why McGrath was so hard to face. Is it cause of the sledging. When I used to watch him bowl he looked so harmless. He had decent bounce but he lacked pure speed. Maybe 130-135 max. He moved the ball yes but somehow players get outfoxed by him. Why? What was so hard about him.

You don't understand the art of test match fast bowling

 

[Romali_rotti]

Mcgrath the greatest fast bowler of all time, everyone else comes below the king..

 

[Manunited18]

All 3 rightfully champion test pacers with excellent skill sets, for me where marshall edges hadlee and mgrath is if on a flat belter then marshall could up his speed considerably and use hostile intimidating tactics.

 

[tyron_woodley]

You don't understand the art of test match fast bowling

I understand better than most but I find his bowling very unpleasant to the eye. His nagging length balls. He is indeed too good a player but surprisingly struggled in Pakistan. Poor record there.

 

[Manunited18]

I understand better than most but I find his bowling very unpleasant to the eye. His nagging length balls. He is indeed too good a player but surprisingly struggled in Pakistan. Poor record there.

He didn't play their much though, only a odd series, he seemed the ball both ways on the most impeccable length and also had a short ball which climbed uncomfortably because of his height, over all a absolute champion in both tests and limited overs cricket where in the era of power plays his economy rate was under 4 in odis.

 

[tyron_woodley]

He didn't play their much though, only a odd series, he seemed the ball both ways on the most impeccable length and also had a short ball which climbed uncomfortably because of his height, over all a absolute champion in both tests and limited overs cricket where in the era of power plays his economy rate was under 4 in odis.

I know it's incredible. I swear people just don't talk about him cause of his lack of speed.

 

[szrana007]

Having watched them both I am uncertain.

Australia never toured India in DK’s career so we don’t know how he would have gone there. He turned up to Pakistan half-fit - shouldn’t have been on the plane but Thommo and Hogg were crocked worse - and bowled very long spells of medium pace on the dust bowls there. He played one test in SL right at the end of his career.

DK taught Maco and Imran the fast leg-cutter.

Sorry DK Lille was hammered in Pakistan in 1980 series. After that he vowed not to tour Pakistan again. He pulled out of Australia's tour of Pakistan in 1982 and Aus were hammered 3-0, some great bowler, lol

 

[Saurav]

Similar numbers but McGrath did it an era of flatter pitches,video analysis,more helmets,bouncer rule etc

I'd be biased though as I haven't see Hadlee or Marshall live

 

[szrana007]

Having watched them both I am uncertain.

Australia never toured India in DK’s career so we don’t know how he would have gone there. He turned up to Pakistan half-fit - shouldn’t have been on the plane but Thommo and Hogg were crocked worse - and bowled very long spells of medium pace on the dust bowls there. He played one test in SL right at the end of his career.

DK taught Maco and Imran the fast leg-cutter.

DK might have taught Imran and Marshall some tricks but that doesn't make him a better bowler than those two. Abdul Qadir also taught Warne a few tricks but Warne was 10 times the bowler Abdul Qadir was. Similarly the bowlers who came after Lille eclipsed him in stature. Mcgrath is the best pacer from Australia not Lillee.

 

[ishtiaq_ctg]

I don't understand why McGrath was so hard to face. Is it cause of the sledging. When I used to watch him bowl he looked so harmless. He had decent bounce but he lacked pure speed. Maybe 130-135 max. He moved the ball yes but somehow players get outfoxed by him. Why? What was so hard about him.

I think he somehow used to figure out the right length to trouble the batsmen. He didnt had much swing, was a trundler by PP standard(135-140 max speed) yet used to feast on best of the batsmen. He had impeccable line & length, great control of sim movement and used to bowl the same bowl over n over again. Very simple yet effective formula.

His ODI success was strange though. You would think he wouldn't be much effective yet he managed to be bracketed with ODI legends. I cant really explain his ODI success.

 

[ishtiaq_ctg]

I know it's incredible. I swear people just don't talk about him cause of his lack of speed.

He was very economical in the first IPL he played. Conceded less than 7 an over and outperformed fellow teammate Asif who was in his prime.

 

[Robert]

DK might have taught Imran and Marshall some tricks but that doesn't make him a better bowler than those two. Abdul Qadir also taught Warne a few tricks but Warne was 10 times the bowler Abdul Qadir was. Similarly the bowlers who came after Lille eclipsed him in stature. Mcgrath is the best pacer from Australia not Lillee.

I’d say Lindwall, Lillee and McG were all about on the same level. Lillee could do everything McG could and more at 10 mph faster. He would bowl all day and be as quick at the close as at the first over. Hadlee idolised him, copied his action down to the cocked left wrist.

 

[Robert]

Sorry DK Lille was hammered in Pakistan in 1980 series. After that he vowed not to tour Pakistan again. He pulled out of Australia's tour of Pakistan in 1982 and Aus were hammered 3-0, some great bowler, lol

He wasn’t hammered. Look at the economy rate. He bowled very long spells of medium pace in support of the spinners, as the match situations required. Everyone thought he was brave for bowling so much when only half-fit. A lesser man would have cried off.

Misunderstanding happens when you only look at spreadsheets, instead of watching matches and reading about the game.

 

[ishtiaq_ctg]

I’d say Lindwall, Lillee and McG were all about on the same level. Lillee could do everything McG could and more at 10 mph faster. He would bowl all day and be as quick at the close as at the first over. Hadlee idolised him, copied his action down to the cocked left wrist.

Lilee could do everything MCG could and more at 10 mph faster and yet has a higher average with 200+ less wickets. Something dosent add up. Why does DK have an inferior record than MCG when he is better and faced inferior batsmen?

 

[MMHS]

Lilee could do everything MCG could and more at 10 mph faster and yet has a higher average with 200+ less wickets. Something dosent add up. Why does DK have an inferior record than MCG when he is better and faced inferior batsmen?

First of all - he didn't face inferior batsmen, rather he bowled to much better technically sound batsmen who had better defense, getting them out wasn't easy. Scoring rate was lower because they used normal cricket bats on much slower out-field and on longer boundaries.

Lillee's best 2 years were robbed by WSC and he didn't have the support that McGrath got from other end. Actually, Roberts have done injustice to DK here - they are never at similar level. McGrath is a fantastic metronome, but DK Lillee was a champion fast bowler.

 

[Rellu_Katta]

i would go with headlee purely bcz he did not have the same support at Mcgrath (Shane Warne, Lee, Gillispie) or what Marshal have (do i really need to name them? lol )

 

[ishtiaq_ctg]

First of all - he didn't face inferior batsmen, rather he bowled to much better technically sound batsmen who had better defense, getting them out wasn't easy. Scoring rate was lower because they used normal cricket bats on much slower out-field and on longer boundaries.

Lillee's best 2 years were robbed by WSC and he didn't have the support that McGrath got from other end. Actually, Roberts have done injustice to DK here - they are never at similar level. McGrath is a fantastic metronome, but DK Lillee was a champion fast bowler.

Even in WSC, DK Lilee averages 25+. Hardly earth shattering. And yes he did bowled to statistically inferior batsmen compared to Mcgrath. Mcgrath faced most of the 50+ averaging batsmen of the history of the game.
Dk Lillie faced inferior batsmen batting with inferior bats on slower outfields where most times batsmen didnt get runs they deserved. He also faced batsmen without helmets and no bouncer restrictions and no balls not being debited to bowler's account. With all these advantages and even taking those supposed two prime years into account, he still averages more than Mcgrath with fewer wickets.
DK Lillie is champion in forums whereas Mcgrath constantly bullied ATG batsmen. It's Clear who was the real Champion. Cricket pundits will always biased against players like Mcgrath and Steve Waugh(Germany of football) because of lack of romanticism with them. But these are the guys who actually wins you things.

 

[ishtiaq_ctg]

i would go with headlee purely bcz he did not have the same support at Mcgrath (Shane Warne, Lee, Gillispie) or what Marshal have (do i really need to name them? lol )

gillespie and Lee were average without Mcgrath. They're stats plummet significantly without playing alongside Mcgrath . Even Warne suffered without Mcgrath.

But all these three bowlers are just too close to separate in test format.

 

[Robert]

Lilee could do everything MCG could and more at 10 mph faster and yet has a higher average with 200+ less wickets. Something dosent add up. Why does DK have an inferior record than MCG when he is better and faced inferior batsmen?

Inferior? Lillee bowled at Sobers, Kanhai, Fredericks, Greenidge, Lloyd, Richards, Boycott, Amiss, Gavaskar, Vishwanath, Zaheer, Turner.

Lillee increased the test wicket record from 306 to 355, a big margin. That would have been 430 had the WSC matches been official. He played 70 tests which was a lot for a fast bowler of that era. so took five wickets per test which is very rare. His ratio of top five to bottom five players is very high. He took ten wickets in a match seven times, and had 23 fivefers. This despite playing nearly half his tests in those flat Aussie decks of the 1970s.

His partnership with Thomson changed cricket. Lloyd created the four prong pace attack to counter them.

McGrath had a similar proportion of wickets to Lillee against the top five. He took about 4.5 wickets per innings. Though they were different types I think they are roughly equal in stature.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Inferior? Lillee bowled at Sobers, Kanhai, Fredericks, Greenidge, Lloyd, Richards, Boycott, Amiss, Gavaskar, Vishwanath, Zaheer, Turner.

Lillee increased the test wicket record from 306 to 355, a big margin. That would have been 430 had the WSC matches been official. He played 70 tests which was a lot for a fast bowler of that era. so took five wickets per test which is very rare. His ratio of top five to bottom five players is very high. He took ten wickets in a match seven times, and had 23 fivefers. This despite playing nearly half his tests in those flat Aussie decks of the 1970s.

His partnership with Thomson changed cricket. Lloyd created the four prong pace attack to counter them.

McGrath had a similar proportion of wickets to Lillee against the top five. He took about 4.5 wickets per innings. Though they were different types I think they are roughly equal in stature.

You are only as good as your era.
McGrath would wreck Lille in his era.
Lille would be better than mcg in lillee's era

McGrath had the advantage of playing for a stronger team which is obviously a huge advantage however McGrath was the missing piece for that great Aussie side.

 

[Robert]

You are only as good as your era.
McGrath would wreck Lille in his era.
Lille would be better than mcg in lillee's era

McGrath had the advantage of playing for a stronger team which is obviously a huge advantage however McGrath was the missing piece for that great Aussie side.

I firmly believe that a champion in one era would be a champion in any era.

Do you imply that the seventies were not a strong era? Apart from the batters I named, there were Ian and Greg Chappell, Simpson, Lawry and McCosker.

Consider the quicks - Lillee himself, Snow, Willis, Roberts, Holding, Hadlee, Imran coming up.

Then spinners Gibbs, Underwood, Befi, Prasanna, Venkat and Chandra.

McG would walk into Lillee’s team but DK would walk into McG’s.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

McGrath for me. Was a champion in both formats and was great in World Cups. Australia's great performances in World Cups and number 1 status in Test cricket coincided with his peak in both formats. Dude was a beast in test cricket between 1995 -2005. 444 wickets at 18.xx. And he also get the best batsman out in opposition lineups. Great in Asia where he could reverse the old ball,clocking in the 140-145 kph rangewhich considering his release height and the revs he put on the ball was more than a handful. GOAT bowler.

 

[tyron_woodley]

I firmly believe that a champion in one era would be a champion in any era.

Do you imply that the seventies were not a strong era? Apart from the batters I named, there were Ian and Greg Chappell, Simpson, Lawry and McCosker.

Consider the quicks - Lillee himself, Snow, Willis, Roberts, Holding, Hadlee, Imran coming up.

Then spinners Gibbs, Underwood, Befi, Prasanna, Venkat and Chandra.

McG would walk into Lillee’s team but DK would walk into McG’s.

That's what I mean. You can't transpose across era's

Great player will find a way to be great in any era.

You can only be a great of your era Unlwws you have the longevity of tendu who played across 2 era's.

Lille would kill it in 2000era and vice versa for mcg in lillee's era.

Current elite bowlers probably would dominate past era and vice versa if the past era bowlers had the same advantages as modern era bowlers.

Although I do believe technical batsmen were superior in 80s and 90s compared to now and the bowlers of current era are superior because they play in a more batsman friendly era.

 

[szrana007]

He wasn’t hammered. Look at the economy rate. He bowled very long spells of medium pace in support of the spinners, as the match situations required. Everyone thought he was brave for bowling so much when only half-fit. A lesser man would have cried off.

Misunderstanding happens when you only look at spreadsheets, instead of watching matches and reading about the game.

Lillee averaged 101.0 in that 1980 series in Pakistan. Can't get any worse than that, lol. I don't need to look at the economy rates as batters always played slow back then. Anyways he got the hammering of his lifetime and vowed not to tour Pakistan again and chickened out of the 1982 tour of Pakistan, when Australia needed him.

 

[Manunited18]

I'd definitely put McGrath as the best of all time Australian quick, the guy was a wrecking machine for techniques.

 

[szrana007]

He wasn’t hammered. Look at the economy rate. He bowled very long spells of medium pace in support of the spinners, as the match situations required. Everyone thought he was brave for bowling so much when only half-fit. A lesser man would have cried off.

Misunderstanding happens when you only look at spreadsheets, instead of watching matches and reading about the game.

Also Lillee didn't pickup a single wicket in the 1973 tour of West Indies. How can he be Australia's greatest fast bowler? when he has 0 wickets in WI and only 3 wickets in Pakistan @ 101, lol.

 

[ishtiaq_ctg]

Also Lillee didn't pickup a single wicket in the 1973 tour of West Indies. How can he be Australia's greatest fast bowler? when he has 0 wickets in WI and only 3 wickets in Pakistan @ 101, lol.

DK lillie is goat if you wore those special red tinted glasses.

 

[Justcrazy]

Marshal was the best among the three , Marshal was most intimating among three.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

It is a very hard choice.

But if I have to choose one among these three, then my choice would be Marshall. He is the ultimate test bowler.